Context

Chad is in the midst of a multidimensional humanitarian crisis, fuelled by conflict, poverty and climate fragility. Although instability in the Lake Chad region has persisted since 2015, the situation deteriorated rapidly in April 2023: the conflict in Sudan has driven over a million people to seek refuge in the eastern regions of the country. Compounding this situation in 2025 were a severe cholera epidemic and recurring climate shocks, such as floods, which have undermined the resilience of both refugees and local communities.

Currently, around 7.7 million people — 40% of the total population — are in need of assistance. The crisis is concentrated in three geographical areas: the East, the epicentre of the refugee emergency; the Lake Province, characterised by forced internal displacement; and the South, marked by communal tensions. The needs are wide-ranging and concern food security, healthcare and water and sanitation services. Protection remains the central concern, however, due to the prevalence of gender-based violence, the high number of unaccompanied minors and the precarious nature of housing. Despite the scale of the needs, the humanitarian response has seen a 43% reduction in the overall budget compared to the previous year, drastically limiting the capacity of international organisations to intervene on the ground.

INTERSOS’ intervention

In 2025, INTERSOS provided direct assistance to 425,000 people in Chad, responding to a crisis characterised by food insecurity, conflict and climate vulnerability. The intervention focused primarily on the Eastern and Lake regions, integrating Protection, Food Security, Nutrition and Essential Services.

The protection sector was at the heart of the operation, reaching 240,000 people. In addition to monitoring respect for human rights, the organisation provided psychosocial support and case management for survivors of gender-based violence and vulnerable children, facilitating the family reunification of separated children. Furthermore, we supported communities in the production of briquettes for cooking and in the development of cooking systems that are more efficient and sustainable than traditional methods, with the aim of reducing the consumption of firewood, the collection of which is often the cause of serious accidents.

In the area of food security, around 65,000 people have benefited from financial assistance, seed distribution and agricultural tools. To combat malnutrition, mobile clinics and programmes distributing fortified flour to children and pregnant or breastfeeding women were set up. At the same time, we responded promptly to the cholera outbreak in the east by building latrines, improving drinking water systems and promoting hygiene practices. Finally, INTERSOS provided emergency shelter and kits of essential items to 50,000 refugees and returnees, initiating the transition to more permanent housing. The entire strategy was implemented by empowering local leadership through structural partnerships with national organisations to foster the long-term self-reliance of communities.